Buoyed by the success of its compact E-worker, Merlo has introduced a full-size electric agricultural telehandler that has a 7m boom and can lift 4.3t.

The TFe 43.7 promises similar performance to the firm’s popular TF42.7 conventional machine.

Power comes courtesy of a large lithium-ion battery pack housed in what would be the engine bay, which powers separate electric motors to drive the transmission, boom and hydraulic systems such as steering.

See also: Ultimate guide to buying a telehandler 2023

The machine is still in the prototype stages, but Merlo hopes to put it into production and target farms with on-site electricity generation, such as solar panels or a wind turbine.  

Run time is expected to be about six hours to a charge, after which time the cells can be replenished using a car-type CCS connector.

Claas has also got in on the game, with an electric version of the Scorpion that has a 6.93m boom and can lift 3.2t.